My backup is smaller than the original and has fewer files. Why?


A default backup profile will not copy the following:

  • desktop.ini files
  • Recycle bin folder
  • System Volume Information folder
  • thumbs.db files
  • Junction points are not followed (by default)
  • *.db-shm

  • *.db-wal

  • *.SBSECOR

  • *\AppData\Local\D3DSCache\

  • *\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\BrowserMetrics\

  • *\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Cache\

  • *\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Caches\

  • *\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\

  • *\AppData\Local\Temp\

  • *\AppData\LocalLow\Microsoft\CryptnetUrlCache\

  • *\DfsrPrivate\

  • *\LocalState\EBWebView\Default\Cache\Cache_Data\

  • *\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\parent.lock

  • *\SBSE____.*

  • *\Temporary Internet Files\

  • \$SysReset\

  • \$Windows.~BT\

  • \$Windows.~WS\

  • \$WinREAgent\

  • \hiberfil.sys

  • \pagefile.sys

  • \swapfile.sys

  • \Windows\csc\

  • \Windows\debug\NtFrs*

  • \Windows\ntfrs\jet\

  • \Windows\Prefetch\

  • \Windows\Registration\*.crmlog

  • \Windows\sysvol\domain\DO_NOT_REMOVE_NtFrs_PreInstall_Directory\

  • \Windows\sysvol\domain\NtFrs_PreExisting___See_EventLog\

  • \Windows\sysvol\staging\domain\NTFRS_*

  • \Windows\Temp\

This may result in fewer backup files and hence a smaller backup size. You can also choose to filter out files that Windows itself states should not be copied.